At least four policemen were killed and two others were seriously injured in an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) blast by terrorists in Sopore in the Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir.
The terror attack has been claimed by Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), one of the most notorious militant outfits in J&K.
"The IED was planted beneath a shop," Greater Kashmir quoted an unidentified official as saying.
#Visuals from Baramulla: 3 Policemen have lost their lives & 2 are seriously injured after an IED blast by terrorists in Sopore #JammuAndKashmir pic.twitter.com/k4TCaLRxx2
— ANI (@ANI) January 6, 2018
#UPDATE on Sopore IED blast: Another Policeman loses his life, taking the death toll to 4. #JammuAndKashmir
— ANI (@ANI) January 6, 2018
More #visuals from Baramulla where 4 Policemen have lost their lives after an IED blast by terrorists in Sopore #JammuAndKashmir pic.twitter.com/BLybHzhaFl
— ANI (@ANI) January 6, 2018
However, other media reports have said that a police vehicle ran over the IED, triggering the blast. The area has been cordoned off and a search operation is underway.
The cops belonged to the 3rd Battalion of Indian Reserve Police (IRP).
J&K Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti expressed grief over the deaths of the cops.
"Pained to hear that four policeman have been killed in an IED explosion in Sopore. My deepest condolences to their families, [sic]" she said on Twitter.
Pained to hear that four policeman have been killed in an IED explosion in Sopore. My deepest condolences to their families.
— Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) January 6, 2018